In a groundbreaking study, scientists have unveiled compelling evidence that a combination of diet, exercise, and cognitive training can significantly enhance thinking and memory in older Americans, particularly those in their 60s and 70s.
The POINTER study, which involved over 2,100 sedentary participants, provided insights into how intensive lifestyle changes can mitigate the cognitive declines typically associated with aging.
Principal investigator Laura Baker, a professor of gerontology and geriatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, noted, “These people are obtaining cognitive function scores that are similar to people [like them who are] one to two years younger than they are.”
Jessica Langbaum from the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, who was not involved in the research, added that the findings indicate the potential to alter cognitive decline trajectories over time.
The results of the POINTER study were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto and published simultaneously in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
These findings align with earlier research, including a smaller Finnish study that suggested single interventions like exercise could help reduce brain changes associated with aging.
The POINTER study specifically focused on individuals aged 60 to 79 who exhibited normal memory and thinking abilities but were at an increased risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Participants had to be sedentary and following a sub-optimal diet.
Half of the participants were tasked with creating their plans for improving their diet and increasing their exercise. Conversely, the other half engaged in an intensive, structured program that included four aerobic exercises a week, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, online cognitive training, mandatory social activities, and monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
While both groups demonstrated improvements in memory and cognition, the intensive regimen group exhibited significantly greater results.
Baker described the transformative nature of the program, stating that it required hard work but proved to be life-changing for many participants. Most were able to implement substantial and lasting changes with the help of coaching, supervision, and encouragement.
She emphasized the necessity of consistent effort, noting, “There is no way to form a new habit or change behavior without intentional work on a regular basis. It’s impossible.”
The Alzheimer’s Association, which invested nearly $50 million in conducting the POINTER study,, collaborated with the National Institutes of Health, which contributed more funds for participants to undergo comprehensive brain scans, blood tests, and sleep studies that will further elucidate the findings.
While the results primarily address normal brain aging rather than Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are optimistic that such lifestyle modifications may help delay dementia onset, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Following the study, the Alzheimer’s Association plans to allocate an additional $40 million over the next four years to translate the findings from POINTER into community practice. Snyder emphasized that the next step involves implementing the effective strategies uncovered by the study.
To achieve this, various questions need to be addressed, such as identifying what types of interventions individuals will respond to best, whether it’s advice from healthcare providers, technology-based applications, or other motivational tools.
Considering the growing interest among Americans about improving brain health, Snyder highlighted the importance of these interventions. “At the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s one of the top questions we get,” she explained, noting people’s concerns often stem from family history of dementia and memory issues, making them eager for preventive solutions.
Langbaum stressed the crucial role of healthcare providers in this context, suggesting that lifestyle interventions should be regarded with the same priority as pharmaceutical prescriptions. This means that doctors should begin recommending regimens akin to those in the POINTER study and work with insurance companies to ensure coverage for these lifestyle prescriptions.
Moreover, results from ongoing studies, which include analyses of brain scans and blood tests, are anticipated to shed light on whether participants’ cognitive improvements were accompanied by measurable enhancements in brain health.
These findings are expected to be published later this year, providing more context on how lifestyle changes affect cognition and brain function.
In the meantime, Langbaum advised those already leading a healthy lifestyle to consider increasing their engagement. “If you already do the Sunday crossword puzzle, and it’s not challenging, pick up something new, find that exercise regimen that you’ll adhere to, and if you can do it around people, that’s even better,” she concluded.
As the findings from the POINTER study circulate, there is hope that effective approaches to cognitive health maintenance in older adults will become more broadly adopted, paving the way for healthier aging.
image source from：npr
